Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection: Maye Moving Up? Reagor Rising?

In the aftermath of their 14-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday at Gillette Stadium, a handful of standout performances have adjusted the chances of several players with hopes of earning (or losing) a roster spot for 2024.

With the Patriots scheduled to visit the Nation’s Capital for their third and final preseason game against the Washington Commanders at Commanders Field on Aug. 25, here is Athlon Sports Patriots Country’s attempt at predicting the Pats opening day 53-man roster.

Quarterback (3):

Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton

Out: Bailey Zappe

While head coach Jerod Mayo recently advised that the Patriots’ starting quarterback competition “isn’t over,” the Pats three choices for their initial roster are seemingly set. Despite his struggles against the Eagles last Thursday, Brissett still appears to be the front-runner to get the ball for their season opener on Sept. 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Still, Maye’s performance has given legitimacy to the possibility of his earning the job in short order. Milton’s arm strength and impressive field awareness gives him the edge over Zappe, who could stick around via the practice squad due to his scout team acumen.

Running Back (4):

Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty

Out: Terrell Jennings, Deshaun Fenwick

Throughout training camp, Stevenson has continued to prove himself as the ideal steward of coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s offense — taking full advantage of his prowess in outside zone concepts. With Gibson and Harris joining Stevenson as roster locks, Hasty gets the nod over both Jennings and Fenwick as the team’s fourth option. Though his 23-yard catch-and-run off Maye’s pass against the Eagles was an eye-opener, Hasty has the resume to warrant a role on the active roster. The 27-year-old appeared in all 17 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and rushed for 194 yards on 46 carries (4.2 yards-per-carry) to go along with 20 receptions for 126 yards receiving and three total touchdowns. He also added 97 kick return yards on special teams. The Patriots were able to sign him last season, due to the Jags logjam at the position. They should find him to be a versatile addition in Van Pelt’s offense.

Wide Receiver (6):

Ja'Lynn Polk, DeMario Douglas, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte

Out: Tyquan Thornton, Kawaan Baker, David Wallis, JaQuae Jackson

PUP: Kendrick Bourne

With Bourne expected to start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the Pats fill the extra spot with Reagor — thanks in part to his speed and expertise in the return game. Boutte gets the nod over Thornton, as he has been the team’s leading receiver throughout training camp and the preseason. Despite the Baylor product’s blazing speed, Reagor’s versatility and Boutte’s route-running talent give them the slight edge. Thornton was a very tough cut, as the Pats will have a tough time attempting to replicate his speed. However, his injury history — including one which has recently kept him from the practice fields — forced the Pats hands in this case.

Tight End (3):

Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell

Out: Mitchell Wilcox, La’Michael Pettway, Jacob Warren

New England's tight ends may be among the easiest positional group on the roster to predict. Henry has been out with an undisclosed history, but is not expected to start the season on an injury list. Hooper has performed well throughout camp, and should provide the Pats quarterbacks with a reliable veteran pass catcher. However, he suffered an injury during Sunday’s practice, which could derail his progress. While the argument can be made for Bell being a practice squad candidate, his performance and collegiate resume will make it difficult for Bell to pass through waivers. Accordingly, the Pats give him the third slot here.

Offensive Line (9):

Chukwuma Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett, Calvin Anderson

Out: Zuri Henry, Michael Jordan, Atonio Mafi, Charles Turner III, Liam Fornadel, Kellen Diesch

PUP : Cole Strange

IR : Jake Andrews, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

Despite their well-documented struggles, the Patriots have repeatedly deployed a starting offensive line consisting of Lowe at left tackle, Sow at left guard, Andrews at center, Onwenu at right guard and Okorafor at right tackle to protect presumed starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett. While the collective effort of the unit has progressed since the start of camp, the team’s tackles continue to struggle with sealing off pass rushers along the ends. Wallace has been one of the team’s strongest performers this preseason, and projects as a future standout within the unit.

Defensive Line (7):

Deatrich Wise, Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms, Mike Purcell, Trysten Hill

Out: Sam Roberts, Armon Watts, William Bradley-King, Josiah Bronson

IR : Christian Barmore

With Barmore likely out indefinitely, the Pats will look to both Wise and Godchaux for veteran leadership. Pharms has more than asserted himself as a potential force within the Pats line, and could be a contender for a starting role. Following the trade of Matthew Judon, White may be called upon to play more of a linebacker role this season. However, he exhibits both physical size and athleticism to continue his success as a true defensive end. His ability to be effective all over the defensive front could lead to a breakout role this season. Watts may be a surprising cut, based on his veteran experience and prominent placement among the Pats’ offseason free agent signings. However, a quiet camp, along with the emergence of both Purcell and Hill, currently put him on the outside of the roster bubble.

Linebacker (7):

Anfernee Jennings, Oshane Ximines, Jahlani Tavai, Josh Uche, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Christian Elliss, Raekwon McMillan

Out: Joe Giles-Harris, Steele Chambers

PUP : Sione Takitaki

In addition to White, several of New England’s linebackers will need to step up in Judon’s absence. The Pats face the daunting task of attempting to fill the large void in their pass rush without the four-time Pro Bowler to control the pass rush on third-down. Therefore, the Pats must rely on their linebackers and defensive backs to create stunts. Preseason standouts such as Ximines, Elliss and McMillan have proven their value in such situations. Giles-Harris has performed well this summer, and was left on the cutting room floor due only to the numbers crunch.

Cornerback (6):

Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden

Out: Marcellas Dial, Azizi Hearn, Mikey Victor

Carrying six cornerbacks, yet still believing that notable talent was left behind, is only a testament to the Pats depth and promise at the position. Wilson and Austin have each demonstrated an ability to be solid depth pieces behind presumed starters Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan and Marcus Jones. Bolden’s ability to stay in-step with his target, along with his special teams prowess, makes him a reasonable addition. Dial was yet another tough cut, having performed well throughout the summer. As a late-round rookie draft pick, the South Carolina product may slide to the Pats via the practice squad.

Safety (5):

Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus

Out: Joshuah Bledsoe, A.J. Thomas

IR : Marte Mapu

New England will once again deploy one of the top starting safety tandems in the NFL with Dugger and Peppers. However, the depth pieces behind them and showing themselves worthy of attention. Hawkins has routinely provided veteran savvy, while Schooler has shown some range at safety, in addition to his prowess on special teams. As Mapu has sparingly seen the practice fields throughout the past few weeks, his starting the season on an injured list is a possibility which must be considered. Pettus is the pleasant surprise, as his performance to date makes him worthy of retention.

Related: Patriots Preseason: 4 Takeaways From 14-13 Loss to Eagles

Specialists (3):

Joey Slye (K), Joe Cardona (LS), Bryce Baringer (P)

Out: Chad Ryland, Tucker Addington

Perhaps lost in the drama surrounding both the quarterbacks and the offensive line, the Patriots have an interesting positional battle at kicker ready to reach a boil. Veteran Joey Slye has recently been making a strong push in his efforts to win the job from second-year kicker Chad Ryland. Slye accepted the duties against the Eagles by putting the Patriots on the scoreboard in the second quarter when he connected on a 51-yard field goal. He added a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

When taking under account each of their stats from training camp and preseason (including field goals and point-after-tries), ESPN’s Mike Reiss has tracked Slye as having connected on 29 of 35, while the incumbent Ryland has made 28 of 33.

Though this one could come down to the wire, Slye currently has a leg up on the competition.